When Does Kentucky Basketball Play? 2025-2026 Schedule

By Sarah Miller · February 26, 2039

As of October 2025, the University of Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team begins their regular season on November 7, 2025, with a home game at Rupp Arena. The full schedule includes SEC matchups, non-conference tournaments, and NCAA tournament dates pending performance.

Upcoming Kentucky Basketball Schedule Overview

The Kentucky Wildcats, one of college basketball’s most storied programs, are set to begin their 2025–2026 campaign with high expectations. Head coach Mark Pope enters his third season aiming to lead UK back to deep NCAA Tournament runs. The official regular-season schedule was released in August 2025 and features marquee non-conference games and a rigorous Southeastern Conference (SEC) slate.

Key Season Dates

First Regular-Season Game: November 7, 2025
SEC Tournament: March 12–16, 2026 (Nashville, TN)
NCAA Tournament Selection Sunday: March 15, 2026
Projected NCAA Tournament Games: March 19 onward
Championship Game: April 7, 2026 (Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis)

Where and When Kentucky Plays

Kentucky primarily plays home games at Rupp Arena in Lexington, KY—the sixth-largest indoor arena in the U.S. with a seating capacity of over 20,500. Road games include conference matchups across the SEC and neutral-site contests in major tournaments.

Home vs. Away Breakdown

The 2025–2026 schedule consists of 18 conference games (9 home, 9 away) and approximately 13 non-conference games, including multi-team events (MTEs).

Date	Opponent	Location	Venue	Broadcast
Nov 7, 2025	vs. Wright State	Home	Rupp Arena	SEC Network+
Nov 14, 2025	vs. Kansas (Border War)	Neutral	T-Mobile Center, KC	ESPN
Nov 25–27, 2025	Legends Classic (NYC)	Neutral	Barclays Center	ESPN Events
Dec 30, 2025	@ Tennessee	Away	Thompson-Boling Arena	ESPN/ABC
Jan 18, 2026	vs. Alabama	Home	Rupp Arena	ESPN2
Feb 14, 2026	@ Auburn	Away	Auburn Arena	SEC Network
Mar 1, 2026	vs. Florida	Home	Rupp Arena	CBS

Table data source:1, 2

The table highlights key early-season matchups and critical SEC games broadcast on national networks. Neutral-site games like the Kansas showdown and Legends Classic offer high-profile exposure, while late-season road games at Tennessee and Auburn could determine seeding for March Madness.

How to Watch Kentucky Basketball Games

Fans can follow every game through multiple platforms:

SEC Network: Covers most conference games
ESPN/ABC: Major matchups and tournament broadcasts
UK Sports Network: Radio coverage via WLAP 630 AM or LEX 104.9 FM
Streaming: WatchESPN, ESPN App, or fuboTV with subscription

International fans can access live streams via ESPN International or FloSports depending on region.

Common Questions About Kentucky Basketball Schedule

When does the Kentucky basketball regular season start?

The 2025–2026 Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball regular season begins on November 7, 2025, with a home game against Wright State at Rupp Arena.

Where can I find the full Kentucky basketball schedule?

The official schedule is available on the University of Kentucky Athletics website at ukathletics.com. Fans can also download the UK Athletics app for real-time updates and game reminders.

Does Kentucky play any ranked teams early in the season?

Yes. The Wildcats face No. 10 Kansas in a neutral-site Border War game on November 14, 2025, and may play additional ranked opponents during the Legends Classic in late November.

Are tickets still available for Kentucky home games?

Limited single-game tickets are typically released closer to game day. Season ticket holders have priority access. Check Ticketmaster or the UK Athletics ticketing portal for availability and resale options.

What time do Kentucky basketball games usually start?

Home games at Rupp Arena typically tip off between 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM ET, depending on broadcast schedules. Weekday games often start at 7:00 PM, while weekend matchups may be scheduled for 8:00 or 9:00 PM ET.